New Zealand win toss, elect to bowl first against India

New Zealand has won the toss and elected to bowl first against India.

India take on New Zealand in the final Group A match of the ICC Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. With both teams winning their first two matches, the winner of this clash will secure the top spot in the group.

Playing XI:

India: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (Wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy.

New Zealand: Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (Wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (C), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Will O’Rourke.

Weather:

The weather in Dubai on Sunday is expected to be warm, with hazy sunshine and a high of 25°C. Winds will pick up in the afternoon, reaching speeds of 20 km/h with gusts up to 44 km/h.

Rain is unlikely, with only a 1% chance of precipitation, ensuring an uninterrupted match. As the evening progresses, temperatures will drop to 19°C, while steady winds of 19 km/h will continue, creating ideal playing conditions.

Pitch Report:

The Dubai surface is expected to favour batting, providing consistent bounce and pace. With no rain forecasted, the dry pitch should remain true throughout the match, allowing batters to play their shots freely.

While bowlers may need to work for wickets, conditions could assist spinners as the game progresses. With both teams boasting strong batting line-ups, a high-scoring contest is likely.

Head-to-head:

India and New Zealand have had a competitive rivalry in ICC events, with both teams producing memorable encounters over the years. New Zealand dominated the early World Cup matchups, while India turned the tide in the late 1980s and early 2000s.

However, the Kiwis have held the upper hand in crucial knockout matches, including their 18-run win over India in the 2019 World Cup semi-final. Their group-stage match in the same tournament was abandoned due to rain.

In the Champions Trophy, New Zealand have a 1-0 record against India, winning their only encounter by four wickets in the 2000 edition in Nairobi.

India hold an advantage in ODI encounters, winning 60 of the 118 matches played, while New Zealand have won 50. Their most recent ODI meeting in 2023 saw India secure a 70-run victory in Mumbai. In their last five encounters, India have emerged victorious each time.

As both teams aim for a strong finish to the group stage, Sunday’s match will be crucial in setting the tone for the knockout rounds.